Disability Benefits for Telemarketers
Anyone who has ever been a telemarketer knows that the job is not an easy one. It is a high-stress atmosphere, to say the least. These individuals are usually employed in a sales-type position and have quotas that must be met in order to maintain their standing with their employer. Oftentimes these individuals will work in call centers that handle a large volume of outgoing calls. In order to perform well as a telemarketer, an individual must be able to speak clearly and intelligibly, be friendly and polite, understand why it is important to smile while talking and fully understand the specifics of the product or service he or she is promoting. This requires critical thinking on the go and a persuasive demeanor.
Being a telemarketer is not necessarily a high-risk position, but there are disabilities, illnesses and injuries that could prevent such a professional from being able to properly perform their job. For example, a telemarketer who begins to suffer from a loss of hearing would not be able to communicate effectively with potential leads. A telemarketer who suffered a jaw injury that prevented clear speech would not be able to make sales. When these circumstances occur, many of these hard-working individuals assume that Social Security Disability benefits will be readily available when and if they need them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Working with a Disability as a Telemarketer
When a telemarketer suffers from an injury or illness that interferes with his or her ability to perform their everyday job functions, they will likely find themselves without an income. With no means to support themselves or their families, they must rely on Social Security Disability benefits to help. Unfortunately, the majority of disability claims are denied during the initial stage of the application process. This can be due to a number of different factors.
When a telemarketer suffers a long-term or permanent disability that prevents him or her from performing their job duties, the Social Security Administration will try to determine whether or not there are other types of work that the telemarketer can perform. For example, the telemarketer may not be able to perform telemarketing functions, but he or she may be able to do other jobs in the national economy, such as working as a file clerk or data entry specialist. If the Social Security Administration determines that the disability applicant could easily be retrained to do one of these jobs, it is likely that their Social Security Disability claim will be denied.
Let's say that a telemarketer has suffered an injury to the jaw that prevents him or her from performing work as a telemarketer. The adjudicator reviewing the file may assume that the telemarketer can perform other types of work. However, what the adjudicator might not understand is that this telemarketer is also suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and a herniated disc as well. The reason for the misunderstanding is the way the disability claim forms were filed. Because of this, the applicant will need to file an appeal to further explain his or her need for Social Security Disability benefits to an administrative law judge.
Applying for Social Security Disability as a Telemarketer
When an adjudicator is reviewing your Social Security Disability claim, he or she will factor in a number of criteria including your age, your skill set, your education and your work history. Not only do you have to prove to the Social Security Administration that you are completely disabled, but you have to prove that your disability prevents you from performing any type of work at all. If you are advanced in age and have been performing work as a telemarketer for twenty years, it will be much easier for you to qualify for disability benefits than a twenty-something telemarketer who could be easily retrained to perform another type of work activity.
If you would like to increase your chances of being awarded Social Security Disability benefits during the initial stage of the application process, you should consider retaining the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate. These professionals can assist you in preparing your disability claim, ensuring that the Social Security Administration has all of the information needed to successfully process your claim for Social Security Disability benefits. If, for some reason, your disability application is denied, your attorney or advocate can assist you in the disability appeal process.
When a Social Security Disability attorney or advocate represents you at the hearing stage of the disability appeal process, he or she will assist you in gathering the medical evidence that will be necessary to prove your disability, beyond a doubt, to the administrative law judge who is hearing your case. He or she may also ask for expert testimony from medical witnesses and vocational experts. These individuals may plea your case to the judge, advising the court as to why your disability completely prevents you from performing any type of work in the national economy.
